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Welterweight matchup headlines UFC debut in Rochester, as Rafael Dos Anjos battles Kevin Lee

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Wed, Mar 27th 2019 08:30 pm

UFC heads to Rochester for the first time with a marquee matchup featuring former UFC lightweight champion and No. 4-ranked welterweight contender Rafael Dos Anjos welcoming former interim lightweight title challenger and No. 5-ranked lightweight Kevin Lee to the 170-pound division. In a high-stakes rematch at bantamweight, undefeated prospect and No. 6-ranked contender Aspen Ladd looks to prove that her first win over No. 2-ranked flyweight contender Sijara Eubanks was no fluke.

UFC Fight Night on ESPN+: Dos Anjos vs. Lee will stream live from Blue Cross Arena exclusively on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, with prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. All UFC live events on ESPN+ will also be available in English and Spanish.

A perennial top contender since joining UFC over a decade ago, Dos Anjos (28-11, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) has defeated some of the biggest names in the sport. He holds impressive victories over former UFC champions Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson and Robbie Lawler. A fan-favorite for his aggressive fighting style, Dos Anjos now aims to work his way back into the title picture by spoiling Lee’s welterweight debut and earning his eighth UFC post-fight bonus.

Hailed as the next generation of MMA talent since he debuted in the UFC at just 21 years old, Lee (17-4, fighting out of Las Vegas) looks to make a statement in his welterweight debut. While at lightweight, Lee impressed with notable stoppage victories over Francisco Trinaldo, Michael Chiesa and Edson Barboza. Now, Lee intends to make an immediate impact in his new division by being the first man to finish Dos Anjos at 170-pounds and asserting himself as one of the top contenders for the belt.

One of the top-rising women’s prospects in the UFC, Ladd (7-0, fighting out of El Dorado Hills, California) aims to break into the top-5 rankings for the first time in her career. Still only 24 years old, Ladd has finished all but one of her opponents, including stopping former title challenger Tonya Evinger and multiple-time muay thai world champion Lina Lansberg. Now, Ladd looks to improve on the only decision victory on her resume by being the first person to finish Eubanks in their rematch.

A multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion, Eubanks (5-2, fighting out of Toms River, New Jersey) competes at bantamweight for the first time in her UFC tenure. A finalist on “The Ultimate Fighter: 26,” Eubanks has established herself as one of the top contenders in women’s MMA by following her appearance on the show with dominant victories over Lauren Murphy and Roxanne Modafferi. Now, Eubanks looks to even the score with Ladd and show that she is worthy of title contention in any division she competes in.

Announced bouts on the card include:

Heavyweight winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3” and the current No. 12-ranked middleweight contender Antonio Carlos Junior (11-2, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida) aims to extend his winning streak to six when he battles “Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series” signee Ian Heinisch (12-1, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.).

Looking for her eighth stoppage victory in a row, Megan Anderson (9-3, fighting out of Kansas City, Missouri, by way of Gold Coast, Australia) welcomes the debuting Felicia Spencer (6-0, fighting out of Orlando by way of Montreal) to the UFC women’s featherweight division.

Looking to stay unbeaten at middleweight in the UFC, Zak Cummings (22-6, fighting out of Kansas City, Missouri) intends to hand undefeated prospect Trevin Giles (11-0, fighting out of Houston) his first career loss.

Lightweight winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: 27” Michael Trizano (9-0, fighting out of Ramsey, New Jersey) looks to maintain his perfect record by taking out “Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series” signee Grant Dawson (13-1, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Missouri).

In a light heavyweight slugfest that is sure to please fans, Patrick Cummins (10-5, fighting out of Boca Raton, Florida) meets proven veteran Ed Herman (24-14, fighting out of Portland, Oregon).

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Tickets for “UFC Fight Night on ESPN+: Dos Anjos vs. Lee” go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. They are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com. For more, visit UFC.com.

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